Summary
In 2022, Nigeria was the third-highest country in internal displacement in Africa, primarily caused by conflict and flood, a climate change induced disaster.
Full Text
Climate change remains one of the factors behind the increasing severity of natural disasters Originally published on Global Voices Drone view of Nigeria’s landscape. Image by MediaMOF via Wikimedia Commons ( CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed ). By Adanna Omeye I was walking on the pedestrian pavement, and my skin shimmered, not because of any cream, but because of the sun’s rays reflecting off it. Sweat rolled down my face, and the only reason I didn’t cry was that my body would have generated even more heat. The 3:00 p.m. sunlight in Abuja, Nigeria, that Tuesday afternoon was unbearable, and I truly felt helpless. But how about other northern regions ? If temperatures are sweltering in the north-central zone, imagine the intensity in the arid and semi-arid areas further north, closer to the Sahara Desert. How can those of us in heat-affected regions cope with the seemingly worsening climate conditions? Climatic implications of Nigeria’s location Map featuring Nigeria and its neighbors. Image via Wikimedia Commons ( CC BY-SA 4.0 ). Nigeria, a country known for its distinctly young population , shares borders with Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin, and the Atlantic Ocean . While these borders facilitate trade and ethnic connectivity, they also have climatic implications. Rainfall volume varies significantly across regions. The southeastern states of Nigeria record the highest levels , while the northeastern states receive the least. The south regularly receives heavy downpours because of rising air masses from the Atlantic Ocean and the orographic effects of the Cameroon Highlands . Meanwhile, the north receives little rainfall because it is relatively far from the Atlantic Ocean, and is affected by dry winds from the Sahara Desert , the hottest desert on Earth, which extends into Nigeria via Chad and Niger. Nigeria is largely characterized by a tropical climate . Among 234 countries, it ranks 41st in average yearly temperature, with 27.3 degrees Celsius (81.1 degrees Fahrenheit) recorded between 1991 and 2020 . While rising temperatures contribute to drought in northern regions, extreme rainfall can also cause devastating impacts on lives and property, particularly in the south. Although Nigeria does not rank among the 10 countries with the highest flood risk globally, its exposure remains significant, with flood risk scores ranging from 31.62 to 100.00 and flood exposure ranging from 40.97 to 100.00, according to World Risk Report estimates. In 2025, Nigeria ranked 60th among 193 countries on the World Risk Index, a metrics report that showcases the intensity and frequency of environmental hazards such as flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis, coastal and river cyclones, droughts, and sea-level rise. While these are partly human-driven, they are also increasing due to the exacerbation of climate change. In 2024, Nigeria ranked 61st , indicating that the situation is worsening, both in disaster severity and official preparedness. While Nigeria does not face all the listed hazards, those that do affect the country often occur at extreme levels. Such hazards impact both individuals and the economy. Climate change and its adverse effects Climate change has far-reaching effects on human lives, which in turn affect living standards and economic productivity. In 2022, Nigeria recorded the third-highest internal displacement rate in Africa , primarily due to conflict and flooding. While environmental disasters are less common causes of internal migration, they remain significant in certain states. For instance, North-Central and North-West Nigeria accounted for seven percent of disaster-related migration . Disaggregated data shows particularly high percentages in some states : Kogi (90 percent), Katsina (15 percent), Nasarawa (14 percent), Kano (12 percent), and Kaduna (12 percent). The climate crisis remains the largest driver of the increasing severity of natural disasters . Among these disasters, flooding is the most prominent in Nigeria. Climate disasters can also adversely affect people’s livelihoods. Having accounted for over 31 percent of the GDP in the third quarter of 2025, agriculture remains a critical part of Nigeria’s economy, and disruptions in human capacity and livelihoods directly affect output, food availability, and employment. The result is increased dependence on imports, declining living standards, and shrinking employment opportunities. Women are disproportionately affected because they constitute a significant percentage of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. A typical example is Kano State , a northern hub for trade and agriculture, known for producing groundnuts, millet, cowpeas, maize, sorghum, and rice. Flooding in 2024 caused damage to over 25 percent of the state’s expected agricultural output , and the disaster resulted in 26 deaths, 50 injuries, and the destruction of over 1,000 houses. Between June and September 2024, flooding across Nigeria led to 280 deaths , 2,504 injuries, 122,330 homes destroyed, 17,000 acres of farmland damaged, and approximately 641,500 people displaced. Other climate-related disasters in Nigeria include drought and heat waves , which are most severe in northern regions. The way forward Despite the tremendous negative impacts of the climate crisis, Nigerians are finding ways to mitigate its effects. Several innovative solutions have been adopted. For example, Green Quest , a gamification and community action approach founded by Grace James, empowers communities to address flooding through education, engagement, and sustainable practices. While the government is also stepping in with collaborative policies and infrastructure initiatives, more needs to be done to reduce risk and suffering. Innovation is crucial, and everyone’s personal engagement can collectively lead to substantial positive results. Findings by the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) indicate that 2024 was the hottest year on record globally, based on analysis comparing data from 1850 to 2024. The report stated: Each of the last four decades has been successively warmer than any decade that preceded it since 1850. Human influence has warmed the climate at a rate that is unprecedented in at least the last 2,000 years. Several activities, such as increased gas flaring , oil spills , carbon emissions from transport vehicles, agricultural emissions , and others, have contributed to Nigeria’s changing climate. Sadly, intense solar radiation is something we often adapt to, but climate change, including its effects like flooding and drought, must be addressed if future generations are to avoid its extreme effects. Human activity has contributed significantly to the extreme effects of climate change, but humans also hold the power to implement solutions. All hands must be on deck to bring about the change we wish to see. Written by Guest Contributor
Nigeria faces intensifying climate threats from heat, drought, and flooding
Short summary: Nigeria is confronting worsening climate risks as rising temperatures, drought in the north, and destructive flooding in many regions increasingly threaten lives, livelihoods, agriculture, and housing.
Long summary: Nigeria’s geography leaves different regions exposed to different climate extremes, with drier northern areas facing stronger heat and drought pressures while southern and central regions are vulnerable to heavy rainfall and flooding. The country ranked 60th out of 193 countries on the 2025 World Risk Index, a slight deterioration from 61st in 2024, reflecting rising disaster severity and weak preparedness. Flooding remains the country’s most visible climate-linked disaster, with 280 deaths, 2,504 injuries, more than 122,000 homes destroyed, and about 641,500 people displaced between June and September 2024. Agriculture, which accounted for more than 31 percent of GDP in the third quarter of 2025, is especially exposed, with women among the hardest hit because of their large role in the sector. Community-led responses and policy action are emerging, but stronger mitigation and adaptation efforts are still needed.
Nigeria is experiencing mounting climate stress driven by rising heat, recurrent drought, and severe flooding.
The country’s location shapes these risks unevenly. Northern areas, influenced by dry winds from the Sahara and their distance from the Atlantic, receive far less rainfall and are more vulnerable to drought and heatwaves. Southern areas often face heavy downpours linked to Atlantic air masses and terrain effects near the Cameroon Highlands, increasing flood danger.
Nigeria has an average yearly temperature of 27.3 degrees Celsius based on 1991 to 2020 data, placing it 41st out of 234 countries. As temperatures rise, climate-related hazards are becoming more damaging. In the 2025 World Risk Index, Nigeria ranked 60th out of 193 countries after ranking 61st in 2024, signaling worsening exposure and preparedness challenges.
Flooding remains the most prominent disaster. Between June and September 2024, floods caused 280 deaths, injured 2,504 people, destroyed 122,330 homes, damaged 17,000 acres of farmland, and displaced around 641,500 people. In Kano State alone, 2024 flooding damaged more than 25 percent of expected agricultural output, killed 26 people, injured 50 others, and destroyed more than 1,000 houses.
The economic effects are substantial. Agriculture contributed over 31 percent of GDP in the third quarter of 2025, meaning climate shocks directly affect food supply, jobs, and incomes. Women are disproportionately exposed because they make up a significant share of agricultural workers.
Internal displacement is also rising. In 2022, Nigeria had the third-highest internal displacement rate in Africa, largely because of conflict and flooding, with some states showing especially high shares of disaster-related migration.
Local innovation is emerging as part of the response, including community-based flood mitigation efforts such as Green Quest. But with global temperatures continuing to rise and human activity contributing to climate change through emissions, gas flaring, oil spills, and other factors, experts and advocates say broader action is urgently needed.
Tags: Nigeria, climate change, flooding, drought, heatwaves, agriculture, internal displacement, disaster risk
Hashtags: #Nigeria, #ClimateChange, #Flooding, #Drought, #Heatwave, #Agriculture, #ClimateRisk
Nigeria’s climate emergency is being felt in heat, drought, and flood damage
Short summary: Nigeria is seeing harsher heat in the north, severe flooding across many communities, and growing pressure on farming, housing, and livelihoods.
Long summary: Climate impacts in Nigeria are becoming more severe and more costly. Northern regions are facing stronger heat and drought conditions, while flooding continues to devastate homes, farmland, and infrastructure in many states. Between June and September 2024, floods killed 280 people, injured 2,504, destroyed more than 122,000 homes, and displaced about 641,500 people. The fallout is hitting agriculture especially hard in a country where the sector remains a major economic pillar. Community solutions are emerging, but the broader trend points to urgent need for stronger climate resilience and emissions-cutting efforts.
Nigeria’s climate risks are rising fast.
The north is becoming more exposed to drought and extreme heat, while heavy rains and flooding continue to hit other parts of the country with deadly consequences.
The numbers are stark: between June and September 2024, flooding led to 280 deaths, 2,504 injuries, 122,330 homes destroyed, 17,000 acres of farmland damaged, and roughly 641,500 people displaced.
Agriculture is especially vulnerable. The sector accounted for more than 31 percent of GDP in the third quarter of 2025, so climate shocks quickly affect food, jobs, and incomes. In Kano State, 2024 flooding damaged over 25 percent of expected farm output and destroyed more than 1,000 houses.
Nigeria’s climate exposure is shaped by geography: the south sees heavier rainfall linked to Atlantic moisture, while the north gets less rain and more dry Saharan air. That means different regions face different extremes, but the pressure is nationwide.
Communities are developing local responses, and officials are pursuing policy and infrastructure measures. But with rising global temperatures and climate-related hazards worsening, Nigeria faces growing urgency to strengthen adaptation and reduce environmental risk.
Tags: Nigeria, climate emergency, flooding, drought, heat, farmers, displacement, resilience
Hashtags: #Nigeria, #ClimateEmergency, #Flooding, #Drought, #Heat, #ClimateAction, #Farmers
Heat, drought, and floods are sharpening Nigeria’s climate crisis
Short summary: From scorching temperatures in the north to destructive floods across multiple states, Nigeria’s climate crisis is deepening and placing growing pressure on people, farms, homes, and the wider economy.
Long summary: Nigeria’s climate challenges are intensifying as regional weather patterns become more extreme. The north is increasingly exposed to drought and heatwaves because of low rainfall and the influence of dry Saharan winds, while southern and central areas face repeated heavy rainfall and flooding. These risks are already translating into deaths, injuries, damaged farmland, destroyed homes, and internal displacement. Flooding between June and September 2024 alone killed 280 people, injured 2,504, destroyed 122,330 homes, and displaced roughly 641,500 people. The consequences are especially serious for agriculture, a sector that made up more than 31 percent of GDP in the third quarter of 2025. As global temperatures continue to rise, Nigeria’s vulnerability is increasing, and while communities and policymakers are pursuing solutions, the scale of the crisis points to the need for stronger adaptation and emissions-related action.
Nigeria is confronting a deepening climate crisis marked by more intense droughts, worsening heat, and repeated floods that are hitting communities and the economy at the same time.
The country’s geography helps explain why these threats vary so sharply from one region to another. Southern Nigeria typically records heavier rainfall because of moist air coming from the Atlantic Ocean and terrain-related uplift near the Cameroon Highlands. By contrast, the north receives much less rain and is more exposed to hot, dry winds moving from the Sahara through neighboring countries. That makes northern states especially vulnerable to drought and heatwaves, while many southern and central areas are at greater risk of flooding.
Nigeria’s climate is broadly tropical, and between 1991 and 2020 the country recorded an average annual temperature of 27.3 degrees Celsius. But rising temperatures are compounding risks nationwide. On the 2025 World Risk Index, Nigeria ranked 60th out of 193 countries, following a ranking of 61st in 2024, an indication that disaster risks and preparedness concerns remain serious.
Flooding stands out as the country’s most persistent climate-linked hazard. Officially reported impacts from June to September 2024 included 280 deaths, 2,504 injuries, 122,330 homes destroyed, 17,000 acres of farmland damaged, and about 641,500 people displaced. In Kano State, one of northern Nigeria’s major agricultural and commercial centers, flooding in 2024 damaged more than a quarter of expected agricultural output. The disaster there also killed 26 people, injured 50, and destroyed more than 1,000 houses.
These losses have direct national consequences because agriculture remains central to the economy, contributing more than 31 percent of GDP in the third quarter of 2025. Climate-related disruption can reduce output, threaten food supply, cut incomes, and increase reliance on imports. Women are particularly exposed because they represent a significant share of agricultural workers.
Climate stress is also feeding displacement. In 2022, Nigeria recorded the third-highest internal displacement rate in Africa, driven mainly by conflict and flooding. In some states, disaster-related migration accounted for especially high shares of displacement.
At the same time, local responses are taking shape. Community-focused initiatives are promoting flood awareness, education, and practical action, while authorities are pursuing policy and infrastructure measures. Still, the scale of the threat suggests that more investment in resilience, adaptation, and climate mitigation will be required.
With 2024 identified by climate researchers as the hottest year on record globally, the warning for Nigeria is growing clearer: without stronger action, the combined effects of heat, drought, and flooding are likely to put even more pressure on lives, livelihoods, and long-term development.
Tags: Nigeria, climate crisis, flood risk, heatwaves, drought, food security, adaptation, Kano State
Hashtags: #Nigeria, #ClimateCrisis, #FloodRisk, #Drought, #Heatwaves, #FoodSecurity, #Adaptation